Russian Helicopters to deliver 15 Ka-52 'Alligators' to Egypt in 2017

Russian Helicopters says it will this year deliver 15 Kamov Ka-52
'Alligator' helicopters to Egypt as it forges ahead with the
fulfilment of a 2016 order of 46 units, reports Oscar Nkala.

Russian Helicopters Holding Company head Andrey Boginsky told 'Russia 24' television channel that the aircraft will be delivered in batches.

"Three helicopters (were delivered) in the first batch for training, three will go in the second batch until we reach 15 this year. There is 46 in total," he said. A contract to supply 46 Ka-52 helicopters to Egypt was reported in 2016.

Early in August, 30 pilots and 70 technicians of the Egyptian Air Force started specialised Ka-52 operation and maintenance training programmes that are run by Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company (AAC Progress) on behalf of Russian Helicopters.

AAC Progress is part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company. Some Egyptian specialists have already been trained on ground support equipment and at the firing range. The first batch of flight crews is expected to conclude training in September.

Egypt is also negotiating with Russian Helicopters for the acquisition of unspecified units of the Ka-52K 'Katran' helicopter, which is the naval version of the conventional Ka-52 Alligator.

The Ka-52Ks will be deployed aboard the two Mistral Class landing helicopter docke vessels that were delivered from France between June and September 2016.

The sale is being negotiated through the International Cooperation Department of the State-owned Russian arms dealer Rostec Corporation.

Emirates will introduce a daily A380 service for a temporary period between Glasgow and Dubai from 16 April 2019. It will be the first time the popular double decker aircraft will operate on a scheduled basis to Scotland.